The Students association of Pune-Based Film and television institute of India has demanded the administration of the institute for immediate suspension of online classes for the batch 2020. The reason is due to the challenges faced during the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the institute has made it mandatory for students to join online classes which is against UGC guidelines and the attendance criteria for online classes.
The FTII student association (FSA) has also requested for a meeting with the chairman of institute Mr. Shekhar kapur explain their demands and concern in detail and to find an effective solution for them.
However, The FTII administration has made a Counter statement that most of the students are already attending the online classes and are in favour to continue the classes. The online classes are being conducted for only one batch and hence there is no valid reason to suspend the classes and will continue as the planned schedule.
The FSA through a press release stated, “We are witnessing an exponential increase in cases each day and people are struggling to avail medical facilities. FTII administration has been enforcing mandatory online classes for the newly-admitted 2020 batch students.”
The association also said that the Institute’s chairman is unwilling to meet them and has given a date of 11 days later. Their concerns must be treated as urgent should be solved as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, FTII director Bhupendra Kainthola has denied all the demands on the grounds that although students are facing connectivity issues but the institute is helping them over all problems faced. Teachers and faculties are also available for the students to help via phone or E-mail in case they misses any lecture or session.